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- Solid Waste Valorisation for Wastewater Treatment ProcessesPublication . Cartaxo, Marco; Rosa, Manuel; Nogueira, Isabel; Nunes, Valentim; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Mateus, D. M. R.The present work was part of a research project, which pursued the treatment and reuse of urban and industrial wastewaters as well as solid waste. Its main goal was the development of modular systems for wastewater treatment based on constructed wetlands (CWs). The project involves the concept of circular economy and the rationale of "using waste to treat waste", exploring the possibility of the treatment systems being composed of solid waste and by-products from significant industrial sectors. The work thereof presented describes the physical and chemical characterization of five waste solids, which were used as lab-scale fillers. Optical microscopy observations, μFRX and FTIR-ATR analyses were conducted to characterize the solid wastes before and after use in the CWs treating urban type wastewater. Results indicated that, among the five solid wastes studied, limestone fragments from construction showed favorable conditions to biofilm growth, and coal slags from power plants and cork granulates showed the highest indication of adsorption of organic compounds.
- Hydrogen Production via Wastewater Electrolysis – An Integrated Approach ReviewPublication . Cartaxo, Marco; Fernandes, José; Gomes, Mário; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Nunes, Valentim; Coelho, PauloHuman activities generate enormous amounts of wastewater. The hydrogen production from this new resource has gained attention as an emergent technology. Incorporating photovoltaic energy production with different electrolysis systems which can treat wastewaters and produce hydrogen simultaneously will lead to an environmentally-friendly and sustainable hydrogen production.
- Wastewater Electrolysis for Hydrogen ProductionPublication . Cartaxo, Marco; Fernandes, José; Gomes, Mário; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Nunes, Valentim; Coelho, PauloDue to its highest gravimetric energy density, H2 has been regarded as the preferred clean-energy carrier, with potentially environmentally-friendly production through the solar-assisted WS. Since human activities generate enormous amounts of WW, H2 production from this new resource has gained attention as an emergent technology. This paper addresses the most relevant and current aspects of H2 production from WWEL, and electricity generation from RES. In this sense, the state of art of H2 production, especially from WS, is presented here, as well as the main approaches to electricity generation from RES, with the greatest potential for viability. A new approach on this matter, which is part of the work that is being developed by the authors of this study, was also herein presented.
- Participation of students in the project Valorbio: A case study to accelerate the implementation of sustainability principles in the curriculumPublication . Mateus, D. M. R.; Pinho, Henrique J. O.; Nogueira, Isabel; Rosa, Manuel; Cartaxo, Marco; Nunes, ValentimPurpose – The present work describes the case of the Valorbio research project, in which students of different high-level programs were involved in the experimental work and in the dissemination of results in collaboration with the research team. Design/methodology/approach – The inclusion in higher education curricula of content related to the sustainable development should be a preferred mechanism for the dissemination of good practices of sustainability. Another equally important way to achieve this is to involve students in research projects that seek solutions to the societal challenges related to sustainable growth. The Valorbio project aims to meet the needs for treating and reusing wastewater and solid waste. Its main goal was the development of modular systems for wastewater treatment based on constructed wetlands,exploring the possibility of the treatment systems being composed of solid waste and by-products from significant industrial sectors. Findings – The students’ contributionto the research workwas relevant, and simultaneously allowedthem to acquire skills on sustainable development. Additionally, the students contributed to the dissemination of the results. The Valorbio project can thus be considered a successful application of the concept of project-based learning,as a way to include sustainability issues content in the higher education curricula. Originality/value – The applied experimental work had an original approach regarding the equipment design, the waste materials valuation, as well as the integration of waste treatment processes in the circular economy paradigm.This paper is the first reported project-based learning experience involving students of short-cycle technical-professional programs in partnership with first and second-level students and a research team.